Chapter Sixty-Three: Who Is the Real Mastermind?

Golden Luan Hall of the Eastern Yue Kingdom.

Today was the new emperor’s first day of court. The month-long celebrations that had reverberated through the land concluded only yesterday, yet the officials assembled in the grand hall still basked in the lingering joy. After all, under the new emperor’s leadership, the mysterious and malignant Bloodshade Alliance was eradicated, and the union with the Nation of Blazing Fire was secured, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity for Eastern Yue.

At that moment, an androgynous voice intoned, “If there are matters to be addressed, present them early. If not, court is dismissed.”

Suddenly, a golden-armored guard at the entrance announced in a booming voice, “Lei Xiang seeks audience.”

The emperor’s face lit up with delight. “Quickly, let him in.”

Lei Xiang entered, led by a eunuch, and after a courteous bow, declared in a clear voice, “Your Majesty, may you be well. You look to be in excellent spirits today.”

The emperor laughed heartily. “With the Bloodshade Alliance destroyed, how could I not be in good spirits? What good news have you brought me today, Young Master Lei?”

Lei Xiang’s lips curled in a faint smile. “Alas, I’m afraid I must dampen Your Majesty’s spirits this time. The news I bring may cause you and the court some concern.” He paused, then spoke solemnly, “The leader of the Bloodshade Alliance is not Chen Junxi’s father. He was merely a puppet. The true leader is someone else. I do not yet have proof and dare not speak his name lightly, but I am certain that he is still alive.”

These words crashed through the hall like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. Shock rippled through the assembled officials, and tension instantly thickened the air.

Had this been before, Lei Xiang would have been dismissed as a madman, expelled from Eastern Yue, perhaps even accused of spreading panic and thrown into prison or executed on the spot. But things were different now.

After Lei Xiang’s brilliant strategies led to the eradication of the century-old Bloodshade Alliance, he became a figure of near-mythic stature in the eyes of the emperor and all the officials. His words carried considerable weight, and the gravity in his expression dispelled any notion of jest.

It was Situ Hongji who first broke the silence. He, too, had played a crucial role in the campaign against the Bloodshade Alliance, earning the emperor’s favor with rewards of spirit stones, magical artifacts, and precious elixirs. His standing in court had risen steadily, even surpassing the Chancellor and Linghu Zhong, making him the emperor’s foremost confidant. His words were not to be taken lightly.

“Young Master Lei, let us not jest. The leader of the Bloodshade Alliance was slain by His Majesty himself. This is common knowledge, not only within this hall but throughout Eastern Yue. We have just united with the Nation of Blazing Fire; the country flourishes and is at peace. Now is the time for stability and unity, not for panic over baseless rumors. The nation needs construction, peace, and tranquillity, not endless strife.”

His speech was impassioned, and the ministers all nodded in agreement.

Lei Xiang cast a meaningful glance at Situ Hongji, baring his small canines in a smile. “Minister Situ, I would not speak thus if I were not confident. Do not let your feelings over Situ Yan cloud your judgment.”

Situ Hongji’s moustache quivered with rage, and he could no longer remain polite. “Lei Xiang, enough of your nonsense. Do not think that your service to the court gives you license to say whatever you please. If you claim the Bloodshade Alliance’s true leader is still alive, name him. What proof do you have?”

Lei Xiang replied, calm and assured, “I know exactly who he is, but I cannot reveal it now, for his power rivals yours. Only His Majesty could hope to act against him. Once I have gathered enough evidence, we shall see where he can flee.”

His meaning was all too clear—the accusation pointed directly at Situ Hongji. Situ Hongji would not have it.

“You brat, Lei Xiang, you dare slander me so! Produce your evidence, or I will see you destroyed!”

As the confrontation escalated, the new emperor hastened to smooth things over. “Gentlemen, please calm yourselves. Let us not disturb the harmony of the court. I believe we must consider this matter carefully. Young Master Lei, what evidence do you have?”

Lei Xiang replied in a resonant voice, “Your Majesty, do you recall that when I entered the Bloodshade Alliance’s headquarters, I found not a single spirit stone? That aroused my suspicion, and I have now tracked down where those spirit stones are kept.”

“Nonsense!” scoffed Situ Hongji. “If you can truly find those spirit stones, and if I am connected to them, I will accept my death without protest.”

Lei Xiang sneered, “Very well! You said it yourself. Within three days, if I cannot produce those spirit stones, I will take my own life to appease the world.”

The new emperor quickly tried to intercede. “Come now, let us not be so hasty. There is no need for such drastic vows. The Bloodshade Alliance was so secretive—even three years might not be enough to find their treasure, let alone three days.”

But Lei Xiang stood tall and proud. “I already know the exact location, and the purpose behind the transfer of those spirit stones. Do not forget—I have former members of the Bloodshade Alliance in my custody.”

Since things had come to this point, Situ Hongji could not back down. He stamped his foot and shouted, “Very well! A true man’s word is his bond—three days from now, we shall see.”

Three days later, in the Hengyang Mountains—within the very cave where Lei Xiang and his companions had previously searched for treasure—a figure clad in blood-red robes stood, holding a circular magical disk as if probing for something.

A blood-colored conical hat completely concealed his face, impervious to any spiritual sense. The disk in his hands emitted a pillar of blood-red light, pointing northwest. Without hesitation, the blood-robed figure transformed into a streak of blood and sped away.

Moments later, a gentle breeze swept through the area, and, by coincidence, the wind blew toward the northwest as well.

The blood-robed figure came to a halt some thirty yards ahead, at a flat, desolate spot. The reason for his pause was unclear.

“Heh, come out,” he called in a weak, languid voice. Though not loud, it carried clearly for a hundred yards. His head turned in all directions, his hand gripping a magical artifact, ready for combat.

But after a long silence, no one appeared. The blood-robed man sneered, formed a seal with one hand, and vanished in an instant, leaving the place emptier than before, the wind the only movement.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, his figure reemerged. He exhaled heavily, chuckling at himself, then wasted no time in releasing a stack of formation flags and disks, embedding them in the surrounding rocks. With another hand seal, a great formation materialized, its barrier shimmering with elusive runes.

“Rise!”

This time, his voice exploded with power—a stark contrast to the earlier feeble tone. Instantly, a change swept the area: on the once-flat mountain path, a hexagonal array rose slowly from the ground, within which a faint, rectangular object could be seen.

The blood-robed figure formed another seal, chanting an obscure incantation. The hexagonal array roared thunderously, then began to open. Yet the sound was absorbed by the formation he had deployed earlier; outside, only a muffled thud could be heard, unlikely to attract the notice of any passing cultivator.

Satisfied, the blood-robed figure waved his hand, and the rectangular chest within the hexagonal array flew into his grasp. Probing it with his spiritual sense, he nodded in approval. Then, turning swiftly, he pointed again at the array. With a soft pop, the formation vanished, leaving the place as empty as before, without a trace.

At last, the blood-robed man took out a storage pouch, placed the rectangular chest inside, secured the opening, and was about to tie it to his waist.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze stirred—nothing more than an ordinary, light wind. Yet the blood-robed man’s expression changed dramatically, for he sensed a surge of spiritual pressure racing toward him. Without hesitation, he raised his empty left hand, which became shrouded in crimson mist, and struck toward the source of the pressure.

A silent flash of lightning, pale blue and gentle, sliced through the air.